Turmeric beauty masks have been used across Asia for centuries. They are known in Chinese and Indian traditions, and are an element of the Ayurvedic medicine. In south Asia, turmeric masks were an integral part of the bride’s wedding preparations, making her look spotless and glamorous on her big day.

Turmeric contains a phytochemical called curcumin, which can benefit the body, both inside and out. Turmeric is obviously one of the ingredients in the turmeric face mask recipe, but the mask also contains two other important ingredients with lots of benefits for your skin.

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Before getting to the recipe itself let’s look in more detail at the health benefits of turmeric for skin.

For example: the book “Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects” reported that topical application of turmeric was found to decrease the number and onset of skin tumors.

Studies into the potential of turmeric to treat uneven skin tone found that it is an effective skin lightening agent. Research has shown that curcumin has compounds that inhibit the production of melanin in the skin.

Other studies have shown that curcumin can help to speed up wound healing and relieve pain. A study published in the Journal of Molecular Histology said that a topical application of curcumin has beneficial effects and accelerates the healing of wounds caused by burns.

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Turmeric mask also works for acne, eczema and psoriasis. It reduces inflammation and facial redness, and promotes skin healing. Due to turmeric’s antioxidant properties, it has been used for skin rejuvenation. It helps softening lines and wrinkles, giving the face a more youthful appearance. It is also effective with rosacea – a chronic skin condition that is characterized by redness and pimples. It eases the redness and treats this disease.

The journal Phytotherapy Research examined many studies into curcumin for skin health and found that it can help to alleviate the symptoms of atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and acne. It commented that both oral and topical curcumin supplements offer therapeutic benefits for skin health. The research also showed the potential of turmeric to lighten skin tone and improve the appearance of dark skin patches. Researchers found that compounds in turmeric help to suppress melanin in skin cells and can be useful in products designed to lighten the skin.

The basic turmeric face mask is easy to make and acts as a moisturizer, exfoliator and reduces redness. It brightens the skin and makes it look fresh and clean. This is also due to the other natural ingredients in this face mask: honey and plain yogurt (or milk).

Benefits of Honey for the Skin

Honey is one of the oldest foods known to man and it has been used for centuries, not only as a food source but also for its amazing medicinal properties. One of the many health benefits of honey is the way it can help treat acne, reduce the appearance of pimples, scars, blemishes and generally improve the skin appearance.

In my article about the top 10 honey face masks I explained what makes honey so beneficial for the skin based on research. One of the most important reasons why honey is beneficial for the skin is that it contains powerful antibacterial and antiseptic properties. It also has antioxidant properties which are important in helping to get rid of acne, blemishes and reduce sun spots and pimples. Antioxidants help to destroy free radicals which can harm the skin. They also protect the skin by not allowing toxins to cause damage.

Another bonus of applying honey to your skin is that honey is hygroscopic, which means that is a very effective skin moisturizer because it attracts and holds water molecules and at the same time dries out bacteria. Similarly to turmeric, the medicinal properties of honey make it an excellent way to help wounds heal quicker.

So, taking into account the amazing antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties of natural raw honey, it comes as no surprise that it is one of the best natural ingredients to treat any type of skin problem.

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It is important to point out that you should always use raw and preferably organic honey for treating skin conditions (as many types of honey sold in supermarkets are actually fake honey). This way you can make sure that it contains all the healing properties that your skin needs.

Benefits of Yogurt (or Milk) for the Skin

Many people use lotions containing lactic acid to soften dry, hard skin and reduce skin roughness. Plain yogurt is a natural source of lactic acid and it is great for your skin because it helps to cleanse the skin and lighten it without drying out your skin.

Milk also contains lactic acid which develops in cow’s milk as a result of bacteria breaking down the lactose. Fresh milk does not contain lactic acid, as the concentration of lactic acid builds up after a short period of time due to the input of bacteria.

A study from Taiwan found that products containing lactic acid have a skin lightening effect. As well as helping to affect the production of melanin, lactic acid also has an antibacterial effect on acne-causing bacteria. Other studies have shown that lactic acid and glycolic acid from milk help reduce the signs of hyperpigmentation.

Homemade Turmeric Facial Mask – Basic Recipe

There are many variations of the recipe, but below you will find the basic turmeric face mask recipe. Some people add chickpea flower to thicken the paste or add other ingredients that benefit the skin (see other recipes below).

Ingredients

Preparation

Put turmeric into a little bowl. Add honey and yogurt (or milk). You can adjust the amount of yogurt (or milk) to adjust the thickness of the turmeric mask, but make sure that it’s a firm paste that will stick to your face. Turmeric is a dye and it can stain anything, so you don’t want it dripping off your face.

Face preparation

Wash your face with running water and remove all makeup. If your hair is long, tie it up at the back. Wear a T-shirt you are not too attached to, in case it gets stained.

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Application of the Turmeric Face Mask

Apply the turmeric mask evenly all over your face. A spot you don’t want to miss is under the eyes, as turmeric’s anti-inflammatory properties help reduce the dark circles, which form as a result of vasoconstriction (narrowing of the vessels).

If you have any mask leftover, you can save it in the fridge for a few days and use it the next time. The honey will usually harden in the fridge, so you can add a little bit of yogurt/milk to adjust the consistency of the paste and reapply to your face.

Let the mask dry on your face. This means leaving it on for about 20 minutes and then washing it off with cool water. Dry your face gently with a cloth.

Repeat the mask treatment over the course of a few days. You can also apply it to your face every few weeks, depending on your needs and complexion.

Optional Ingredients to Add to the Basic Turmeric Face Mask Recipe

As mentioned previously, there are many variations to this mask. Here are some of the common ingredients that can be added to the basic turmeric face mask:

Lemon juice – You can add to the basic recipe a few drops of lemon juice. Lemon juice contains vitamin C and citric acid, which naturally disinfect skin and remove excess oil. The natural acid gently exfoliates and cleanses oily skin, lightens the skin and leaving it toned and more even.

When researching natural ingredients that can be used as skin whitening agents, the International Journal of Molecular Sciences reported on the use of lemon juice. The researchers noted that lemon extracts are used in some skin lightening applications.

You need to be aware that lemon juice can dry the skin (it is one of the home remedies to treat oily skin). If you decide to use lemon juice, you may need to follow it with a moisturizer.

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Tea tree oil – You can also add to the basic recipe a few drops of tea tree oil if you suffer from acne or pimples. In my article on how to use tea tree oil for acne I’ve mentioned studies showing that tea tree oil is antibacterial and kills off bacteria that cause pores to become infected. It has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce the redness of inflamed pimples. Tea tree oil also helps to dry up excess sebum from the skin and helps to reduce acne symptoms.

Olive oil or avocado oil – If you have dry skin you can add to the basic mixture 1/2 to 1 tsp. of olive oil or avocado oil or any other natural oil such as sweet almond oil, or jojoba oil. These natural oils will further nourish your skin and moisturize it. They will help to protect the skin from irritants and infection, improve the appearance of dry skin, reduce signs of aging and repair damaged skin.

Does Turmeric Face Mask Stain the Skin?

Turmeric can temporarily stain the skin, especially if you have a fair skin tone or if you apply the mask for longer period of time.

If you want to reduce staining, you can do a sugar scrub with oil after rinsing the mask. To do this please mix equal amounts of fine sugar and natural oil, such as olive oil or almond oil and gently massage onto the skin on your face using circular motions. Rinse off with water.

It’s also a good idea to apply the turmeric mask later at night before going to sleep to allow several hours for the skin to get rid of the staining if you have one.

Can Turmeric Mask Cause Allergic Reaction?

Turmeric and honey can cause an allergic rash in some people which can result in one or more of these symptoms: hives, contact dermatitis, redness of the skin, raised welts on the skin, blisters, itchiness and swelling.

Make sure to apply the turmeric mask on a small skin patch on the first time you use it to make sure you don’t develop any skin irritation.

There are many other natural ingredients that can greatly benefit your face and skin:

Daily consumption of turmeric is also one of the 70 habits featured in my e-book 70 Powerful Habits For A Great Health which will guide you how to take positive steps to improve your wellness and overall health.

Here is a video with detailed instructions on how to make and apply the turmeric mask. The woman in the video is using a slightly modified version of the above recipe and adds organic brown rice flour.

Hi Diana, turmeric may stain fair skin (I have a darker skin and it didn’t stain mine after 20 min.) but even on the video attached to the article it didn’t stain the face of the woman after 20 minutes and she has relatively fair skin. The stain does fade away after a few hours so you can do it at night, but if you’re still concerned, use the face mask for a shorter period of time and use only a small amount on your face and see how you go. Even if it does stain your face, simply use a sugar face scrub and it will disappear leaving you with a bright and exfoliated face.

Hi I also have a fair skin tone. If you have irritated skin I would suggest just to use the honey milk(yogurt) and flour to make it pasty. I added about a half of teaspoon of vitamin E oil to mine. The acid from the lemon could further irritate and dry out your face. I also use lemon and tea treeoil in mine only twice a week because I have very oily skin. I use a paint brush or makeup brush to apply this to my face. It will stain your finger nails! if you use your hands. I use a really warm wash cloth to take off my mask and it doesn’t stain my skin at all. I wouldn’t recommend the sugar scrub because sugar has sharp edges that may cause tiny cuts in your skin and could possibly take it longer to heal. This mask does work beautifully. I have moderate acne and since I have been using this my skin is soft, firm, and not oily anymore. I haven’t had any more break outs and its healing wonderfully! Hope this helps!

STOP PUTTING LEMON on your face girls, look it up it’s a no-no!I’m worried tumeric might fall into the same category if used daily. I find I have good results with the tumeric mask when it comes to pore size but something tells me overdoing it might be harmful(exfoliating shouldn’t be done more than twice a week some say…). So ya, I’m torn. As for the stains, I am pretty white and I find the stains don’t last and go on their own

Yes, it can stain your face, but personally I just mix a bit of lukewarm water and epsomsalt, let the salt dissolve (which I already use as a toner) and use cotton pads to wipe my face, or use the mix undissolved as a scrub – the yellow staining just slides right off.
If you do not have epsomsalt, I also had good results from doing the OCM with hempseedoil after finishing my first turmeric mask (although I did not leave it on for as long that time). In addition, I hear that ordinary facial wipes (any kind) takes care of the problem just as well.

I tried it yesterday and all I could say is, WOW! Right after that I had late lunch with a girlfriend who commented, “your skin is glowing – I want to use what you are using!” I’m 65 and I only use loose powder and eye shadow. This mask is going to be part of my régimen. Thanks a lot, Jenny!

If you are a vegan, replace the yogurt/milk with lemon juice which helps to brighten the skin. If you have dry skin – instead of the honey you can add a little bit of oil to the mix (such as olive oil, sweet almond, avocado oil). If you suffer from acne or pimples, replace the honey with a few drops of tea tree oil that has antiseptic properties.

Pls is honey nt gud fr acne and pimples? Becos i ve serious acne n pimples and i ve been using d tumeric powder mix wit honey and riceflour but no much result. Lemon is harsh on my skin. How do i get d tea tree oil pls help

I would add tea tree oil to the mix. Many drug stores stock tea tree oil as well as health stores or online stores. It must be said that if your acne is really aggressive, you will probably need to consult with a dermatologist in addition to home remedies.

Honey is very suitable for dry skin with pimples. Honey has hygroscopic properties which means that it attracts and holds water molecules from the surrounding environment, thus hydrates the skin. It also has antiseptic properties, hence suitable for acne prone skin.

Unfortunately I am not familiar with a “quick fix” for this problem. Usually these applications require a good several weeks before noticing any improvement. If there is no improvement, you will probably need a stronger applications given by a dermatologist, but even these ones take time before you notice results. Otherwise you can refer to my guest article about natural home remedies to improve age spots and hyperpigmentation – https://www.healthyandnaturalworld.com/home-remedies-for-age-spots-hyperpigmentation/

You can use yogurt instead of milk. If you feel that the mask doesn’t give you good results for the acne, have a look at my article about acne – https://www.healthyandnaturalworld.com/natural-acne-cures/ – you may want to add a few drops of tea tree oil, or try other suggestions there. In case of severe or persistent acne, I’m afraid you’ll need to consult with a dermatologist.

I tried the tumeric face mask today. To my despite it stained a lot so i had to use tons of tonic to clean my face. Now my face actually has more red dots than before, probably because of the chemicals in the tonic. I wonder what is the point of making a natural face mask if after this i have to clean it with so much chemicals? Is there maybe another way?

I’m not really sure Karin. I use the mask several times a week for 20 minutes and it works fine for me. Try to cleanse your face after removing the mask with a sugar scrub (a mixture of sugar and water to form a paste) and gently scrub your face. Alternatively try to put the mask for a shorter period of time or try to put slightly less turmeric than you normally do – you need to experiment with it a little bit to see what works for you. Another option is to put the mask late at night before you go to sleep so after waking up the next morning I believe there shouldn’t be any yellowish note.

Make a toner from epsomsalt dissolved in lukewarm water (stirr until the salt disappears) and use cotton pads to remove all staining.

I use epsomsalt as a part of my daily routine, and as I have incredibly sensitive skin due to allergies and atopic eczema, which is prone to acne and extreme dryness, I am quite confident that you will not have an adverse effect using it.
I usually make a face mask with hempseedoil, raw cocoa powder and turmeric – and I add raw honey and milk if my skin is extra dry. Coupled with the hempseedoil OCM, epsomsalt, sheabutter and a hamam kese (moroccan/turkish exfoliating glove), I have been acne free for almost two years now, and all of my scars are almost gone!

If you put only turmeric powder on your face they will be very yellow and you will probably struggle to get rid of the color. Also the other ingredients have their own benefits too. It’s the combination of all of them that gives the results.

It depends what for you are using it. I use it to improve hyper-pigmentation on my face and these treatments usually take quite a while to see results. I started to see improvement after about 2 months, but again it depends how severe is your case. Every person is different and has different severity of condition (such as acne, pigmentation, eczema) so it’s really hard to give a precise time frame, but I would say generally several weeks. If after several weeks you don’t see any improvement, try another treatment.

Hi, I have pigmentation marks on my face aswell. My question is do you put the mask only on the marks or all over your face. I’ve read that turmeric paste can bleach your skin, I don’t want my face to become very pale & bleached looking? Also does this improve facial hair, if so and i do it, will it mean the hair will grow back faster & create more of a problem that before? Any info would be appreciated.

You can apply the turmeric paste all over your face. It does not bleach the skin but makes it more even toned. The change is also very gradually and takes time. I’m not aware that turmeric has any effect on facial hair.

Hi Anne, if you cannot get organic honey, use one from a local shop but buy a trusted and reputable brand. I still think it’s good to add the honey as it moisturizes the skin and has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Also if you leave one ingredient out, the turmeric concentration increases and can really stain your face.

Heyy thanks for this article.. i hope it also works for men as i m have acne and dark circles on my face and it looks very bad and i tried many things to stop it but nothing worked… anyways thanks for sharing this article.. fingers crossed it also works for me… cheers

One of the results of hot weather can be facial flushing. Basically a relief from facial flushing depends on what is causing the flushing, or in your case preventing your body from going too hot. It’s always a good idea to protect the face from the sun with a hat, and you can always carry with you a cooling facial spray which you can make at home (see ideas here).

Hi David, you can keep the leftover paste in the fridge for a few days. The paste might be hardened in the fridge because of the low temperature, but you can always add a little bit of liquid (such as milk/yogurt/lemon juice) to bring it back to a more runny consistency.

I had been using turmeric face pack for a long time and let me tell you it will make your skin glow.Also i read many complaining about the yellow stain it leaves. Here is a remedy for that yellow stain to go ,mix mung bean powder with water so that you get consistency of a paste.Apply oil (i use coconut oil) on your face and wash off this oil by using mung bean paste.Before applying mung bean paste please check on a patch whether it agrees with you.

Thank you for the article Jenny.
I have few questions for you.
1. I am a male. Is it applicable for my skin (Not pretty fair, oily) ?
2. If yes, I have facial hairs (1-5 days old) , Will that be fine if the mask is applied over them or should I take any precaution?
3. My upper lip is darker than lower one. The difference is remarkable. I do not smoke and I never did. Can I apply mask to it or you would suggest anything else?

Hi Mahaveer, as for your questions:
1. Yes, it is suitable for your skin.
2. You can apply the mask over the short facial hair.
3. All the ingredients of the mask are edible so thee is no danger to apply it on the lip. Other option you may want to try is applying pure aloe vera.

I have found other articles that suggest just using the milk/yogurt, honey, and turmeric without the rice flour. Is that still going to give the best results without the flour? What differences and benefits does the flour give?

Hi Patty, traditionally in India they use gram flour which is flour made from a member of the bean family that can also be called Besan or chickpea flour. It has been used for many years in India and surrounding countries as an exfoliant to lighten and brighten the skin. I’ve read that brides were traditionally treated to a sesame oil massage, followed by a body scrub made from gram flour, rice flour, almonds, milk and turmeric as part of their wedding day rituals. Basically you don’t have to use the flour as there are a lot of versions to the recipe (some add a little bit of lemon juice that helps lightening the skin, some add a little bit of oil or essential oils). Some recipes use rice flour which is a widely known ingredient to treat blemishes, wrinkles and pigmentation in many Asian countries for centuries. I guess using the flour can add extra benefits for the skin, and you can add it if you want to.

i have been trying this, but once in a while. Since I have combination skin, I might use almond oil, or olive oil. Can I use sesame oil? Thanks for the tutorial. I am planning to apply all over my body. I am making a special washroom with yellow tiles and black tiles. Specific for turmaric treatment. It’s all ready under construction. It’s come with a steam shower as well. I strongly believe in turmaric. Once more question. There are two type of turmaric. Once is for cooking and other one is for body called kasthoory turmaric. Which one is better? Please let me know. The one for body is costly. It’s comes with mall container and cost $3-7 Canadian. Please let me know thank you once again.

Hi Maya, you can use sesame oil has which has many skin benefits when applied topically. It is very high in vitamins A and E, which are good for reducing fine lines and wrinkles and are added to many commercially produced anti-aging creams. It also contains antioxidants and sesamol, which fight free radicals.
As for Kasturi turmeric – it is indeed a special kind of turmeric (obtained from the rhizomes of Curcuma aromatica rather than the usual turmeric made from the rhizomes of Curcuma longa) used for body application and is not used in cooking. I don’t know much about this type of turmeric, but from what I’ve read about it, Kasturi Turmeric or kasturi manjal (or wild turmeric) is mostly used in various ayurvedic beauty products. It is also non-staining so you can use it safely in your beauty routine without staining the skin or clothes. I also read that Kasturi Turmeric is very strong and should never be used on face undiluted, but should be mixed with other ingredients such as milk or yogurt, flours, oils, etc. In many references that I’ve looked at, the regular turmeric is used rather than Kasturi. Probably in India it’s a lot cheaper so can be used instead of regular turmeric for skin care, but other than that I believe the regular turmeric will be good as well, it just stains a lot more so probably less convenient to work with.

You can try applying the mask on your face to improve pigmentation and for even skin tone, but it takes several weeks until you notice results. If you don’t see any improvement after about 6 weeks or so, discontinue the treatment or try other applications (see more information here).

My skin is clearer, pores are smaller, and the texture is MUCH smoother since I started using Citrus Clear’s “Pore & BlackHead Clay Mask”. Using this mask a few times a month as part of your routine really helps with any acne scarring and the condition of your skin. . It does feel warm and tingly while it’s on, but i kinda like that

hi jenny, thank you for your article,
i have a problem with dark circle , my eyes and my chin and around my mouth .
is this technique work for dark circle around my mouth until my chin. i hate to see it.(dark circle)

I am usually an intelligent person. However, I failed to read the comments before hand. When I made the mask, I got too much milk in the paste. Having not read the comments, and failing to think in general, I added more honey and turmeric. Needless to say, my skin was quite yellow. My husband called me an oompa loompa. Rather than worrying about looking jaundiced on my first day of a new job, I used a sugar scrub, which really didn’t help, put on my moisturizer, and went to bed. When I woke up in the morning, only a little yellow remained on my hairline after doing a sugar scrub. Despite all of this, I WILL do this mask again as my skin is the smoothest it has been in a long time.

You can use regular milk from the supermarket or replace it with natural yogurt from the supermarket as well. This mask is safe to use at any age – if you can eat the ingredients of the mask, you can apply it safely on your face.

I like diy facial mask and now using facial mask with oatmeal, egg and apple. The recipe is very easy and effective. Ingredients: Apple, Egg Yolk, Oatmeal. Blend these 3 ingredients well. Spread the mixture all over your face. Let the mixture stay for about 20-30 minutes. Rinse it off with pure water. That’s all. You can try this recipe.

Some curry powders contain in the mixture chili peppers or black pepper, so perhaps this is what triggered the burning sensation. While curry powder also contains turmeric in the blend, it is found in a smaller quantity, as it is mixed with other spices that can irritate the skin (like the peppers), so don’t use it next time and opt for turmeric only which doesn’t cause any burning sensation.

Yup. I do a combo of lime, honey and turmeric powder either at night before I sleep (carry it on for at least 30 mins then wash off to avoid staining sheets) or in the morning when I wake and before shower. It’s really a delightful way to stay beautiful. Wish I could upload my pics so you believe.

Hi, this mask is very useful. I usually do the mask another way; I mix yoghurt, tumeric, sandalwood powder and chick pea flour. This really gives the glow to your face. I would recommend you to try this method.

Hi, I have olive colored skin tone that I do have acne mostly on my forehead and I do have dark circles, would this 100% benefit my skin because I have this huge holiday coming up for my religion (eid) and I want my skin to look flawless. And also, can I use all purpose flower?

Hi Sharmin, there is never 100% guarantee. There is no solution that fits all. Many times it’s just a matter of experimenting and see what works for you and what’s not. As for your second question – traditionally the flour that is used is chickpea or gram flour. I guess that if it’s just to thicken the paste than all purpose flour will do the job as well.

What should you apply to your face afterwards? Wash it off and leave it clean? Moisturizer? I’ll be doing it before bed so dont need to worry about applying make up but wondering if there’s anything else I need to do once I wash it off – thanks!

Hi Samantha, it’s up to you, there are no strict rules – if you usually apply moisturizer before going to sleep, you can do that although you don’t have to. Another option is to do a gentle sugar water scrub to exfoliate the skin, but again it’s optional.

Use regular milk and not milk substitute, because the lactic acid in milk helps to gradually lighten the skin. This acid is not found in milk substitutes such as almond milk. You can replace the milk with plain natural yogurt.

Hi Jenny, Thank you for sharing. I try this mask for 2 dayd and really like it. My skin is soft and glowing. Btw, Can I ask you something?
1. I only use tumeric powder, yogurt and honey, (no flour as I cannot find it), is it still ok?
2. Can I use it some days a week and the other days I use other masks, will it still be effective?
3. I want to have brighter and smoother skin, should I use this one and the other one which is from oatmeal, lime juice and olive oil? Do you have any other recommendation?
Thank you very much.

Hi Wendy, as for your questions:
1. You don’t have to use the flour. There are many versions to the mask, some include flour, some not, some include lemon juice or essential oils.
2. Yes, you can do that.
3. To lighten the skin, you can add to the basic turmeric mask (turmeric, yogurt, honey) also a little bit of lemon juice which is good to reduce pigmentation and helps lighten the skin. In this case both the yogurt (which contains lactic acid) and the lemon juice will help to brighten the skin. The oatmeal is great for the skin, but more suitable as an exfoliation, to sooth irritated skin and to cleanse sensitive skin. The olive oil helps to moisturize the skin. You can use the oil cleansing method to rejuvenate the skin (read about it here). For oatmeal scrub have a look here. Other option to rejuvenate the skin is applying aloe vera gel which improved overall skin appearance and has anti aging effect (you can also prepare this aloe vera & coconut oil mixture).

Combination skin is when some parts of your face are dry or normal, while typically the center part of your face, like the nose, chin, and forehead (the T-zone) is oily. People who have combination skin, may benefit from slightly different types of skin care in different areas. In this case, the honey add moisture to the drier areas of the skin. If certain areas are very dry, you can add to the mix a few drops of base oil like jojoba oil for example. For the oily parts you can add a few drops of lemon juice which reduces oiliness and also helps to further lighten the skin.

After reading all the comments, and because I have fair skin, I decided to go slow. I tried it only on one area the first day for about 8 minutes – stain came off with sugar scrub. Next day I put it on my whole face and left it for 15 minutes. I didn’t see a lot of stain, but what was there came right off with my Clarisonic and a little facial cleansing oil. I LOVE IT! So, today I will do it again for 20 minutes. I am so happy to have found this website. Thanks Jenny!

hi jenny. can i put turmeric powder on my regular facial moisturizer and leave it overnight? i have acne scars. im using aloe vera gel fresh from the leaf but im thinking on using turmeric as well. thank you and Godbless

Hey, I would like to know how often can I do this face mask.I will be adding a little bit of lemon juice in addition to the ingredients mentioned above. Is it okay to do this face mask everyday before I go to sleep.

Hi Jenny. I’m just now trying this mask tonight. We’ll see how it goes in in a month or two. It is a little itchy, I used whole wheat flour to thicken the paste, so that could be it. I just wanted to say how I impressed I am with your consistent, polite, and honest responses to the questions posed. I have not seen that very often, it is refreshing.

The role of the honey in this face mask is both antiseptic and hygroscopic (hydrates the skin as it attracts moisture). Sugar is also hygroscopic and shows antiseptic properties (for example, in this study, sugar was used as a wound healing agent in cases of foot ulcers among diabetics). However sugar is a processed product, unlike raw honey, and therefore it is an inferior substitute.

Hi there, can the mask be made up of honey, milk and turmeric as I don’t have yoghurt?
Also, should I only use on the darker pigmentation areas ( cheeks, upper lip and chin ) or my whole face, I don’t want to lighten the skin not affected?
Thanks

Yes, you can use milk instead of yogurt. You can apply the mask only on the dark spots if you want, but since the mask is also good for general appearance of the skin, most people apply it on the whole face. From what I’ve tried on myself, it gives a more even skin tone and does not create further difference of the non affected areas.

I’m not sure if you used all the other ingredients (honey, milk/yogurt) or you just used lemon juice and turmeric. It might be that the lemon juice was too strong for you and needs further dilution. I also don’t know how long you’ve left the mask on your face. Try to add all the ingredients and reduce the amount of lemon juice and apply it for a shorter period of time and see how you go.

I was just wondering what kind of turmeric powder to use? Does it matter what brand? I found one from the spice section could i use it? It just says Ground Turmeric and its an orangey yellow color the color it should be.

You can keep the turmeric mix in the fridge. But the cool temperature can harden the paste, so you can add a little bit of yogurt/milk or lemon juice and mix it to create a runnier consistency which is easier to apply. As for the sugar scrub – sugar scrub is simply mixing sugar with water, so you don’t need to worry about keeping it fresh. Just make a mix for that same day.

If you suffer from acne or pimples, it’s a good idea to add a few drops of tea tree essential oil to the turmeric mask for better results. I’m not sure if there is a link between the pimples on the forehead and the itchy scalp as these are different locations. For itchy scalp you can try ACV rinse (more information here) or if you have dandruff, you can try some of the methods mentioned here.

Hi Alex, in most cases it’s hard to completely remove dark spots (it depends how dark they are and how big they are). It is more about lightening them, improving their appearance and create a more even skin tone. If you have really dark and large spots, it’s probably best to consult a dermatologist and see what he/she can offer. It also takes time to notice results, so patience is required. For more home remedies have a look here.

I have no idea Emilie, perhaps a skin allergy of some sort to turmeric or honey? Try to eliminate turmeric (or honey) and see if the symptoms disappear. If turmeric is the problem, make a paste of honey, yogurt/milk and lemon juice. If honey is the problem, make a paste of turmeric, yogurt/milk and lemon juice.

the first time i used turmeric face mask it was okay, the second time i tired it after a while i started having a burning sensation, after i rinsed my face i noticed a few rushes, the following day was worse with rushes all over my face,i am dark skin but of light tone, i make the paste with water and turmeric

I have Acne vulgaris …there is lot of blackheads on face…it looks me darker…how to remove it so that I can get my normal skin back?? l have also used turmeric, gram flour and olive oil paste on my face and leave it overnight… is it right process??

You can refer to my article about blackheads for more information – see here. In cases of acne I would add to the mix also tea tree oil and lemon juice and remove the olive oil. You don’t need to leave it overnight. Please note that if your acne is really severe, you may need to consult with a dermatologist for further advice.

I tried the turmeric face mask yesterday night. After I took it off, my cheeks were a little bit red (understandable because I have rosacea). In the morning the redness was gone but I still have a burning sensation on my cheeks, they are no longer red but the burning sensation is still there. Do you happen to have any recommendation? I use sunblock everyday but I´m using an extra quantity today just in case. Thanks for sharing!!

Hi Silvia, there was another comment from the reader Flozzy in which she had a burning sensation although her reaction was much worse and she had rashes on her face. In her case I replied her that it might be some allergic reaction to turmeric, although I’m not sure, and offered her to eliminate the turmeric so she mixes only honey, yogurt/milk and lemon juice, and see if symptoms disappear. It might be the same in your case. Try to identify the component that causes the burning sensation and see if there is any improvement if you eliminate this component.

Hey,im a 20 year old girl and im suffering from a little acne problem . honey doesnot make any side effect to my face but as per the above mentioned suggestions you said that acne problm should replace honey with tea tree oil.. Is there any problm if i use both honey and tea tree in this mixture?

Everywhere I read about tea tree oil, it is discouraged to add more than a couple of drops to cream or mask. NEVER to put the oil directly on the skin, but always dilute a very small amount on a larger amount of agent.

Hey Jenny I just read ur post and I was about to place an order for the powder and I saw organic turmeric powder as well as just turmeric powder so I want to know which one I should get also does the type of turmeric powder used matter based on the manufacturers,is there any particular make/brand u recommend,And then some years back I used a random face product for my dark circles and side sun burns and due to my sensitive skin it caused under eye veins ever since I have been very skeptical about what I used to treat the dark circles and sun burn I have tried so many products but once I stop using them the dark circles reappear so Do u have any advice concerning the visible veins under my eyes,the dark circles and sunburn cause I want to try this turmeric mask.

Hi sophie, when ingesting food internally, it’s always a good idea to use organic produce, however in this case you only apply it topically, so using organic produce is less important. You can buy regular (non-organic) turmeric which is cheaper. I don’t have recommended brand and anyway brands vary in different countries. As for your second question – it is very common that skin blemishes tend to come back. For example, when treating age spots or hyper-pigmentation, after a certain period of time they may fade away, but once stopping to use the application, they tend to come back. When applying skincare products it usually not a case of getting rid of the blemish for ever and forgetting about it. In most cases it’s about regular maintenance rather than a quick permanent solution. I’ve used the turmeric mask to lighten my pigmentation, but I need to use it regularly to maintain the results. In the beginning I used it very often, but now I use it less frequently to maintain the results.

I would like to find out whats the best remedy for my face, I have dark spots for like 5 years now and I have tried a lot of things to make them go way but nothing, and nw I am scared that I will damage my face because of the things I have been using. please i really need your help, I don’t like the way they look.

Hi Nikki, melasma is difficult to treat even with conventional treatments, and in many cases it tends to come back, so a constant maintenance is often required. I also have melasma and use this mask regularly (I added lemon juice to the mix as well). It took me a while to notice improvement, about two months I think. Now my skin tone is more even and the melasma is more faded and less noticeable, but it’s not that the melasma has completely gone. I believe it worth trying but you will need patience. It’s not a quick fix. If after several weeks you don’t see any improvement, then probably there is no point to continue with the treatment. I also tried a stronger solution given by a dermatologist (retin A which makes the skin thin and sensitive and hydroquinone which is not recommended to be used for a long time), and the results were disappointing, so I’d rather stick with the turmeric mask which is natural and keeps the situation under control. Also generally speaking every person is different and results vary between different people and you need to take it into consideration as well.

Hi Jenny,
Love your video(s) and the recipe. Since I have tried this mask, never I bought any masks from stores..
I can describe the feelings I had after few Times I did it. My acne is fading my skin is glowing.
Thank you so much.
I also wonder the book of healthy habits is it yours ? If answer is yes I will get it.
Thank you
Roza

Can I use organic almond milk instead of regular milk? And also, target was out of stock on organic turmeric, I had to buy archer farms turmeric.. It didn’t say if it was organic or not, but does that matter?

The lactic acid in milk or yogurt gradually reduces skin’s pigmentation, however this acid is not present in almond milk. You can use non organic turmeric. Organic produce is more important when ingesting it rather than when applying it topically.

Hi Jenny! Can I add baking soda and aspirin to the paste, my friend recommended it, I have slight rosacea on the apples of my cheeks and was told that those two ingredients will soothe the irritation as well.

Hi. I have fair skin so I was worried about it staining but now I understand how to get rid of the stain. My question for you is, will this fade the freckles on my face? They are barely noticeable but are there.

Some people find that using the mask helps to fade their blemishes, but it takes time and everyone is different, so it may or may not help in your case. If the freckles are already barely noticeable, there might be a chance that you will not see much improvement. The only way is to try and give enough time to see if there is any improvement.

It is a very great remedy for my skin, acne prone and oily one. After applying it only for three successive days, my skin becomes fairer, acnes healed, blemishs faded, pores tightened and more glowing. The stain is not a concern for me cuz i use oat meal facial scrub after turmeric mask. Thank you so much for your article.

From all the many readers who left comment, I remember 2 cases of women who had skin irritation, so it is relatively rare. Therefore if you have a sensitive skin, try the mask on a small skin patch and see if any reaction occurs. If nothing happens, apply the mixture for a short period of time and increase gradually. You can also have a look at my article about The Best Natural Remedies for Rosacea.

Thankyou Jenny for your valuable comments…..actually I am from Kerala and no one in my family have rosacea….so I am too upset as no one is there to give me suggestions….I am consulting a doctor now and almost everything cured….but my nose seems to be plumb…so I want to change that…I went through your website and I think it will be good to use oatmeal pack on my face…for how many minutes should I put that pack on my face and will it cause any problems

The honey is still important to add to the mix as it has antibacterial effect which can help acne. Also you don’t want your skin to be too dry which can encourage even more breakouts as your skin may produce even more oil when it’s dry in an effort to hydrate itself, increasing the potential for oil-clogged pores and breakouts. Add to the mix lemon juice which is good for oily skin as well as tea tree oil which is good for acne prone skin. For oily skin you can also try applying clay face mask (see more information here).

Thank you for the article. I’ve tried the tumeric face mask before for 3 days. I had developed bad acne that left terrible spots just after delivering our first son. But from the source i got the recipe and how to they was mentioned you must leave it for one hour. Which was time consuming and made my skin yellow and that made me stop. So now I’m 33weeks pregnant with my second baby. My face breaks out (starts with one or two pimples weekly which leave spots) and gets dry in the last months just like the last time. So I came looking for the recipe again and found your post.
I just wanna thank you for your dedication to responding to every question no matter how many times people ask what was asked and answered previously. And thanks to the readers who have given suggestions that worked for them. Keep up your good work. You will surely get your reward.

I have a trouble skin..I have redness on my face and with acne too and with acne scars too.. I have tried so many treatments bt never get rid of it..can it work for me..plzz reply soon..I have combination skin sometimesoft oily nd sometimes dry.. so what will be the ingredients to make the paste plzz tell me..

I would mix all the ingredients: honey, yogurt, turmeric, tea tree and lemon. Not every application works for everybody as each person is different, and some severe or persistent cases of acne will need the attention of a dermatologist. You can only try for a while and see if you notice any improvement. You can also have a look at the suggestions in my article on How to Get Rid of Acne Scars Naturally as well as How to Get Rid of Pimples.

As for psoriasis, please refer to my article about 12 Natural Ways to Relieve Psoriasis which also talks about turmeric. I don’t know how effective it is in your case, as every person is different, and results vary between different people. But you can try some of the suggestions there and experiment with them to see what gives the best results.

This mask can be used on a daily basis. I used this mask on a daily basis for a long time without any problem when trying to fade my pigmentation spots, and after a while when there was an improvement I reduced the frequency to maintain the results.

Hi Maha, you can keep the leftover paste in the fridge for a few days. The paste might be hardened in the fridge because of the low temperature, but you can always add a little bit of liquid (such as milk/yogurt/lemon juice) to bring it back to a more runny consistency.

Pls how can I get my raw turmeric into powder form and can I use the milk we buy and intake. Secondly is the powdered turmeric that should be used for the workout and can I use the normal milk we buy and intake and what’s the result if I add lemon juice?

Following my previous reply, if you want to use fresh turmeric, you just need to grate it. Or alternatively you can buy powdered turmeric in the supermarket. As for the milk – you can use regular cows milk or plain yogurt. Don’t use almond milk or other milk substitutes as they lack lactic acid. Lemon juice contains citric acid which further aids in lightening the skin and creates a more even skin tone. Lemon juice also helps to regulate oily skin complex.

In this mask I used ground turmeric and not fresh turmeric. I haven’t experimented with applying fresh turmeric on the face, but I guess you can also use grated fresh turmeric. In this case, you don’t have to peel the skin (it’s up to you), but you need to scrub it well to clean it properly.

The mask should not cause more spots on the skin. There are people who might be allergic to a certain ingredient in the mask, but that usually doesn’t cause more spots but rather redness or rash-like sensitivity on the skin. As you know your skin best than anyone else, if you suspect that from any reason the mask is not suitable for you, then it’s best to try something else.

The mask should not cause the skin to burn. If it burns, you are probably sensitive to one of the ingredients. In this case you can eliminate each time one ingredient (for example: eliminate the honey and add more yogurt or replace it with 1/2 to 1 tsp. of natural oil) to try and identify the ingredient that causes you the burning feeling. If you suspect that you are sensitive to turmeric, replace it with lemon juice. You can be creative with the the ingredients and adapt it to your own situation, as long as it doesn’t cause your skin a burning sensation.

Struggling wt acne…used tummeric powder wt eggs didn’t remove the yolk mixed it wt some tummeric powder put it in the fridge to cool it den applied it on face let it dry and washed it pat dry and put vitamin e capsule oil wt olive oil but it really seems good

Yes. You can mix about 10 drops of tea tree essential oil per 1 oz (30 ml) of carrier oil of your choice, such as sweet almond oil or coconut oil and apply to the affected areas. If you don’t want oil-based solution, you can replace the carrier oil with witch hazel or aloe vera. In this case you will need to mix/shake it before each application.

Hello everyone, I have a serious question for anyone who can help me. I’m 39 and in the last year have hit rock bottom literally, I lost over 150 pounds (depression) anyway.. I take multiple vitamins, collagen powder every day and I have so many wrinkles, dark eye bags underneath my eyes, and skin sagging on kneck. Guess everything hit me to hard. How can I fight the wrinkles? I have been using pure coconut oil for a year consistent and no difference. Getting worse actually. I look like I am 80!!!

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